Occidental Mindoro – Marine Wonderland of Luzon
From its Spanish-given name, mina de oro meaning mine of gold, Occidental Mindoro is considered as one of the richest provinces in the Philippines; not in terms of gold or precious stones but in beaches, dive sites, coral gardens, and marine biodiversity. The most famous of which is the Apo Reef National Park, a 34-kilometer coral paradise. With this, the province is slowly emerging as a diving hotspot in the Philippines.
Aside from marine life, Occidental Mindoro is the remaining sanctuary of the tamaraws. These endemic creatures are dwindling in numbers but the rich virgin forests of the province has provided them with protection and stable food source.
Demographics
1 Population –
421,952 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 5,865.7 sq. km
3. Capital – Mamburao
4. Language/Dialect –Tagalog, Ilocano, Hiligaynon,
Kinaray-a, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (11)
Famous For ...
Apo Reef
National Park
It is the largest contiguous coral reef system in the
Philippines and second in the world. This 34 square
kilometer natural spectacle is undergoing consideration
to be declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO
World Heritage Center.
Tamaraws
Bearing close resemblance to the Philippine water buffalo,
the remaining tamaraws in the country can be seen in
Occidental Mindoro, specifically in the mountains of
Mt. Iglit.
Natural Beaches
and Dive Sites
Mamburao, Sablayan, San Jose and Pandan Island have
several white sand beaches and dive sites that offers
tourists a more personal commune with nature.
Saknungan
Festival
Taken from the Mangyan term which means “bayanihan”
or the spirit of cooperation, the event reflects the
cultural heritage of Mindoro's ethnic communities.
Cultural
Snake Skeletal
Imprint
Location: Montangcob point, Anahawin River, Brgy. Poypoy,
Calintaan. Occidental Mindoro
A skeletal impression of a snake can be seen at a certain
house-sized boulder found on the river bed. It is believed
that the boulder is millions of years old.
Historical
Parola Park
Watchtower
Location: Lumang Bayan, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
A watchtower was constructed in 1861 to serve as watch
point for impending raids by Muslims. In 1896, bells
were added aid watchers in notifying the towns people.
Later on, cannons and a church was built near the tower
but the church was destroyed by the elements.
McGuire
Field
Location: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
The airbase was used by the American forces during World
War II to launch bomb attacks against Iwo Jima and Okinawa,
Japan. Later the airfield was converted into a domestic
airport and named after 5th Air Force ace Major Thomas
McGuire.
Lubang Island
Location: Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
In 1947, a Japanese Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda surrendered
as a prisoner of war after 29 years of hiding in the
mountains. Onoda only laid his arms after Major Yoshimi
Taniguchi, his commanding officer back in World War
II told him that the war was over.
Natural
Apo Reef
National Park
Location: Apo Island, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
It is the largest contiguous coral reef system in the
Philippines and second in the world. Approximately 400-500
coral species can be found here. Within the National
Park area are the bird-populated islands of Binangaan
and Caios del Bajo, which have a variety of birds, ideal
for birdwatching.
Mt. Iglit
Location: Calintaan - San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Mt. Iglit is a game sanctuary of tamaraws (Bubalus mindorensis)
and the home of Mangyan ethnic tribe. The Mangyans call
the mountain as Mt. Mangibok, which means ‘Steep
Mountain’. It is so steep and dangerous that several
lives have been claimed. The mountain is part of the
Mount Iglit-Baco National Park, a nominee to the UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Ambulong
Island
Location: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
The island has white sand beaches, cliffs along pillars
jutting out of the water, and underwater caves. Coral
gardens and tropical fish are abundant in several coves.
Illin Island
Location: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
It is the biggest island in San Jose. It has has five
beaches, some of which are fringed with reefs making
passage impossible during low tide.
Hulugaan
Falls
Location:Lubang Island, Ocidental Mindoro
Hulugaan Falls is a series of falls leading to a stony
beach.t is accessible via a one-hour ride from Tagbac
and a 20 minute trek.
Besay Falls
Location:Brgy. Tambo, Ambil Island, Lubang, Occidental
Mindoro
Besay Falls features a series of waterfalls,each cascading
into a crystal clear basin,about five meters in diameter.
Cabra Island
Location:Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
Cabra used to be a popular pilgrimage site because of
reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in the island.
It has golden sandy beaches on the southwestern part
and rock formations along the east coast.
Pandan Grande
Island
Location: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
This 30-hectare islet is surrounded by white sand beach
and schools of reefs. Diver's lodge made from native
materials are available for rent.
White Island
Location:Manadi, Barrio Ilin, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
This mile-long white sand beach is a preferred breeding
site of turtles. Occasionally, tourist can find turtle
eggs buried in the sand but visitors are advised not
to disturb them.
Tayamaan
Beach
Location: Brgy. Tayamaan, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
The beach is a popular swimming and picnic destination
among locals. The whole stretch of Tayamaan Beach is
filled with coconut trees.
Lake Libauo
Location: Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm and Sablayan,
Occidental Mindoro
It is a catchment basin for endemic birds like the Mindoro
Bleeding Heart, Mindoro Owl, Mindoro kalaw, among others.
The lake is embraced with various indigenous trees,blooming
water lilies and cool wind.
Sablayan
Dive Sites
Location: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
The shores of Sablayan is a diver's paradise. It has
seven interconnected dive spots which offers diverse
attactions.
1. Anchor and Christmas tree
2. Barracuda Deep
3. Coral Garden East and West
4. House Reef
5. Napoleon Wall
6. Neptune's Land
7. North Wall
Saknungan
Festival
Place: April 25 – 27
Date: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Taken from the Mangyan term which means “bayanihan”
or the spirit of cooperation, the event reflects the
cultural heritage of Mindoro's ethnic communities. Activities
include agro-industrial and techno trade fair, drum
and bugle parade, bikathon, Juego de Anillo,, palo sebo,
hulihan ng baboy, and cultural dance competition.
By land-sea:
Take a bus going to Batangas Pier. From here,
take a roll-on-roll-off (RORO) bound for Abra
de Ilog. Shuttle vans and other transport vehicles
are available at the port to take you to the different
towns of Occidental Mindoro
By Air:
Local flights from Manila to San Jose are scheduled
regularly, landing at McGuire Field, locally known
as San Jose Airport.
By Sea:
Sea travel towards Occidental Mindoro
is available via ferry boat at Pier 6, South Harbor,
Manila. These sea-based vehicles dock at San Jose
Port.